Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-04-30

Inc ilctulhS anu dpphcdtlon VI We
term .'school education" is broadening
year by year; not in the sense of IN
creasing the number of the subjects of
knowledge for the young people to
study, but in discriminating with a
view TO lessening them. thereby pr0vid
ing the means for II better, more nalu-
raj growth of the mental and physical
powers. The limit of this abuse of the
privileges of school. by compelling an
excessive use of the brain, we believe
is reached; and the best teachers all
over the state and country are seeking
earnestly for n remedy. just now al
tention is being largely turned toward
industrial or manual training; and not
withsianding II Of the leading papers
in the country says editorially, ''Indus-
trial education should be kept out of
the ordinary common school, these can
not have any further branches" there
is wisdom in the movement.
Let us see. One great object in in
Producing manual training into the
schools is to reduce the number of sub
jects of daily study, of n purely intel
lectual character. Some Of these are
known to be of doubtful utility. Drop
them out and give them occupation,
just what they need, and this is abund-
antly supplied by a systematic course
in manual training.
Before the child has entered school
at all it has learned to use to the best
advantage the eyes in seeing, the ears
in hearing, and the hands in manipu.
lating. Vast stores OF knowledge have
been acquired. But once in the school
room, and these sources of education
are cut of. What is to be gained
thereafter in knowledge and wisdom
must he obtained from II book. Right
here manual training steps in; and bv
means Of it, If properly conducted, the
little II again sees things. hears
things and handles things. The child
is again restored to the outside world
and to happiness.
Labor i, apt to be considered diSrep-
utabIe; 10 work with the hands is
looked upon us humlliating. People
entertain NJ those ideas will sometime,
resort TO follics aud crimes, rather than
be classed with those who thrive by
manual toll. Here, again, II Judi cious
course in manual training steps in and
clothes the young person with the hon
ors of usefulness and recognition. Ele-
giant leisure, idleness, and the resultant
iOllies are not found in his vocabulary.
As a rule young children do not
easily become interested in the study
of books. They have small powers to
understand, and weak memories to re-
tain what they with difficulty compre-
bend, and for which they have but lit
tie or 10 use. Hence, if they get on
with their studies, it mus, be done by
examining and learning by rote. In
dustrial and manual training opens n
way to interest them. TO develop aud
employ their perceptive faculties. and
to make the otherwise unattractive ex-
peTiences Of school life cheerful and
pleasant.
A great nation engaged in develop
ing its resources, commercial. mining,
manufacturing and agricultural, for
the purposes Of prosperity and prog
ress, for the comfort and happiness of
its people, must have a large increas-
ing force OF strong. active, intelligent
working men and women This force
of men and women must be educated
and trained in the right way from
early childhood. Their number has
been diminishing of late. Manual
training in the schools all over lhe
land will turn the tide. and have a ten
dency to restore the country more
nearly to a normal condition.
Now, is industrial or manual train
ing good for any child or YOUTH We
think so, and for all the children and
youth in the land,-for those in the
country as well as for those in the city,
for the poor as well as the better-con-
ditioned; in short, for all classes and
all ages who are engaged in the duties
Of school. So | think we may be as
sured that some industry or manual
art can be and should be introduced
into every country school, whether the
cottage by the roadside, or the more
p%retentious structure for the hamlet,
or even the finely constructed institu-
ton for the village.
What industry a be proftably in
t%roducedp Why, any and every indus
try within the e of the school, and
suited to the capacity, attainments. and
age of the pupils in attendance. There
are many things that can be done with
profit in any and all schools; and, as
oon as the pupil enters upon school
life. one of them should be taken up,
and each carried forward one after the
other, just as the subjects of study are
taken up md eompleted.-Samuel G..
Love, in Science.